Leisure experience operator Imagine Experiences has launched a crowdfunding campaign to help aid the industry’s recovery. Founded in 2020 in response to the pandemic, Imagine Experiences offers affordable, immersive, experience-led tour products for small groups that support local tourism and small businesses.
The crowdfunding campaign launched earlier this month, with a goal of raising £70,000 over four weeks. Rewards range from a virtual experiences such as cocktail masterclasses and espionage evenings, to tickets to some of London’s most exciting attractions. For higher pledges, supporters can enjoy the chance to be James Bond for a day, sample their way through London’s finest gin palaces, or go on the ‘best pub crawl in the world’ in a privately chauffeured vintage Routemaster bus.
Co-founder Ana Araque said, “We’re on a mission to help people make up for lost time and experience the extraordinary together. With the funds created from public rewards donations, we hope to improve and rejuvenate an industry that’s wroth a staggering £400bn to the UK economy. Not only will this bring about the return of exciting tourism, but it will help kickstart the entire economy and bring revenue straight into the pockets of small and local businesses quickly.”
Co-founder Brendan Murphy commented, “We’ve had overwhelming support from suppliers who are getting involved and backing our campaign by enabling us to deliver such exciting rewards, and we’re incredibly grateful for their help. A huge part of the Imagine Experiences concept is to re-engage British people with their own heritage and discover local gems hidden in their back yards. We have found the most charming and fascinating small businesses to work with, from street food sellers and bakers to wonderfully traditional pubs, all of whom had their very existence threatened by the pandemic. We believe that we can bring them audiences the previously couldn’t reach.”
Imagine Experiences began with just nine products, including unique offerings such as Bond for a Day, Sex, Scandal & Sin – popular with fans of hit TV shows Bridgerton and Harlots, and a river tour of the Thames which included Tower Bridge opening just for those on the boar. This year, the company is looking to add a further 20 experiences to their portfolio and widen their horizons to include other UK towns and cities.
Ana added, “We wanted to create experiences that would give positive, everlasting memories, whilst being COVID-safe and supporting local businesses. We have the venues, the city and the skills to bring tourism back but we urgently need support to help us put smiles on peoples’ faces again!”.
To support the Imagine Experiences Crowdfunding campaign visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/imagine-experiences.
